A RAMPANT first half display from Super Premier giants Glenafton ended East Kilbride Thistle’s best Junior Cup run in 10 years.

But Jags gaffer Billy Campbell was keen to look at the positives of his side’s second half performance as they kept a clean sheet with 10-men after trailing 4-0 at the break.

Goals from Ally Park, Cammy Marlow, Darren McGill and Joe Andrew did the damage, with three of them arriving in the space of nine minutes.

Ryan Carnwath was given his marching order 20 minutes from time, but the Jags restricted Glens, who are three leagues and 47 places above them, to the four goals.

Campbell said: “We were under a bit of pressure at half-time being 4-0 down, but there were was no shouting or anything in the dressing room.

“I just told the players to go out and win the second half and I thought they defended very well after that.

“It’s a fair result in the end against a very strong side

“The first half was not what we wanted, but I was very impressed with the reaction from the players in the second half.”

Chris Dallas, a former Jags player, opened the scoring for Glenafton

Thistle were dealt a blow before kick when experienced defender and ex Glenafton man John Craig pulled up in the warm-up.

And it took the visitors just two minutes to dampen Thistle’s spirits further as former Jags striker Chris Dallas returned to haunt his old club, heading home at the near post from a corner.

Barry Devine almost pulled Thistle level in 27 minutes when his thumping 20-yard strike hit the post and trickled along the goal line before being cleared.

Luck wasn’t on Thistle’s side and moments later the Glens delivered a hammer blow to their hopes with a second goal. Cameron Marlow showed great skill to set himself up for a volley, flicking the ball up in the air before firing the ball past new Jags keeper David Miller, who was making his debut.

Three minutes later it was 3-0 when Darren McGill curled a 20-yard free-kick beyond the keeper.

Before the break Joe Andrew completed the scoring when his strike found a way past Miller from the edge of the box.

A shell-shocked Thistle came out for the second half knowing the game was out of sight, but almost grabbed a consolation when Liam McLaughlin shot wide and ex-Glens man Aaron Connolly fired over from a free-kick.

Things went from bad to worse when Ryan Carnwath received a second yellow card in 68 minutes.

However, Thistle stood firm and prevented Glens from adding to their tally.

Campbell added: “Losing an early goal was never in the plan and we were under the kosh for most of the first half.

“We hit the post at 1-0 and the ball ran across the line, so we were very unfortunate there.

“From that, Glenafton have gone up the pitch and scored their second and that was tough to take.

“They’ve scored three goals in nine minutes and I’m told two of them were deflections, so that shows things weren’t going for us.

Barry Devine, left, put in a shift for the Jags

“To make matters worse I felt Ryan was very unfortunate to pick up a second yellow card. It was a very soft decision and put us under even more pressure in the second half.”

Thistle are now left counting the cost of Saturday with Craig and Connolly expected to miss this weekend’s crucial league match at home to Ashfield.

Campbell’s men are eight games off the pace due to recent postponements and are slipping down the Central District Second Division.

“It’s a worrying week for us now in terms of numbers,” said the Showpark boss.

“John pulled up in the warm-up with a calf injury and that was very disappointing for both him and I. Obviously, he was looking forward to playing his old club, but Jordan Brown stepped in and did very well.

“Aaron pulled up with a hamstring tear in injury time, so, all in all, it wasn’t a good day for us.

“With Ashfield coming up we need to get back on track.

“It’s very easy to say we have so many games in hand and if we win them, we’ll be in such and such a position.

“But I’d rather have the games played than have them up my sleeve. We need to get points on the board.”